Sharks coach Pete DeBoer was traveling to Columbus, Ohio from New York on Sunday afternoon and is trying to arrive in time for the start of San Jose’s game against the Blue Jackets, assistant Steve Spott said.

*Update: DeBoer has arrived at Nationwide Arena

DeBoer missed the Sharks’ 3-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday as he was attending to a personal matter.

Spott and fellow assistants Bob Boughner, and Johan Hedberg jointly handled the coaching duties for the Penguins game, with Hedberg on the bench on a headset with team video coach Dan Darrow.

Spott said nothing changed Sunday morning as far as the Sharks’ pregame preparation, as the team is seeking to sweep a six-game road trip for the first time in franchise history.

Goalie Al Stalock will get his first start of the road trip. Martin Jones was in net for the Sharks’ victory over Detroit on Nov. 13, and followed that with wins over Buffalo, Boston, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

“We had a good meeting this morning. I think they’re generally excited,” Spott said. “We talked about landing in Michigan — I think it was six months ago when this thing started — and we’ve got a chance to do something special.”

The Sharks don’t have to think too far back to their last game against Columbus, which played like the desperate team they are and came away with a 5-2 win at SAP Center. That was the start of a 1-3 homestand for San Jose.

Jones started that game but was pulled after two periods, as he allowed four goals on 21 shots. Stalock came into the game in the third period and made two saves.

“They’re in a good frame of mind. It’s a confident group right now, but we also understand our opponent,” Spott said. “How hard they are and how desperate they are to play. We know what they did in our building against us, so our job is to try and get those two points back.”

Spott said Micheal Haley will draw back in tonight as the Sharks look for some fresh legs. Update: That’ll be the only lineup change from Saturday, other than Stalock starting in net instead of Jones.

Columbus is starting Sergei Bobrovsky, who has been the backbone of the Blue Jackets’ resurgence. Bobrovsky’s won his last four starts and eight of his last 11.

Curtis Pashelka

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Well what a job by the #2 star of the game today to carry us to a win. They gave him the C for a reason. When you need someone to show up in a 3rd when you’re trailing…you should be able to depend on your captain for once.

Now then, while it’s true we beat just an absolutely horrible team inside an empty arena (I thought we were actually at home today), we’re suddenly able to beat a string of lousy teams (which is different from previous years).

We beat Buffalo and Columbus on the road. Really good.

Like I said, we’ve been on a roll since Karlsson returned. He’s been the difference.

renoshark

They’re obviously not the same horrible team they were earlier. In the past few weeks alone they’ve beaten LA, Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Nashville.

MLBSF

And yet they’re last in the East with 16 points. A terrible record of 8-14 and one of the worst records in hockey.
Yea. They’re awesome Reno. Too funny

MLBSF

Niemi goes to Dallas and they’re 17-4 with the best record in hockey.
Unbelievable.
Do you see now what I’m talking about what happens when you’re free of a certain player whose been here since the 1990’s?

Niemi wins a Cup with Chicago.
Comes here and stinks
Leaves and is great again.
smh

GP_hockeyhappens

Uh no. I’m not a ‘tard…

GP_hockeyhappens

I guess I didn’t Nieto getting scratched for Haley this time.

renoshark

No one claimed they were “awesome” genius. But they’ve played much better since Torts was hired and have actually started playing and beating good hockey teams again. Of course, no one expected you to have a clue otherwise.

GP_hockeyhappens

You continue to be a stupid idiot troll.

MLBSF

Keep the bar low for the Sharks like you always do Reno.
Columbus stinks. That’s why they’re dead last in the East.

renoshark

The 6-0 roadtrip bar? Yeah, I’ll look the other way. You’re probably hating life right now. I love it.

Old Time Hockey Fan

Thanks for the Red X..
When I see it…I quickly scroll by.
In the past I advised you to stay away from sharp objects, but now…….Go ahead…make our day.
Hopefully, some Inglorious Bastard carved that into your forehead.
What a loser u are

renoshark

Great again? There were at least (3) seasons in SJ where he’s had a better GAA than he has right now. Are you drunk?

Clemenza

…and deleted in 3…2….1….

Clemenza

…

MLBSF

Why would it be deleted? Are we in Iran?

renoshark

Doesn’t your gibberish usually get deleted on a regular basis? I warned you in the off-season that you have only yourself to blame. Remember that? What a mess. smh.

It’s controlled speech on this blog.
I’ve never seen a sports blog like it (which accounts for the reason nobody posts here).
Sad really. smh

Clemenza

LMAO. Too funny.

GP_hockeyhappens

You do NOT have a right to post here.

The concept that you’re still allowed is amazing.

renoshark

It’s an anti-rash blog. That’s why you hate it. Most other good blogs would delete you as well. Need a tissue?

GP_hockeyhappens

Don’t let any facts get in your way.

GP_hockeyhappens

That 4-0 win vs the Preds for CBJ, just a silly personal stat dont’t you know? 😉

Lunch_Box

I dislike the Bay Area TV news coverage of the Sharks. They report only 10-15 seconds of something as amazing as coming back late from a 3-1 deficit to win 5-3. Niners and Raiders who lose get almost a minute worth of coverage.

Well, he don’t let silly little facts get in the way of that trolling.

Clemenza

Beat me to it!!

Lunch_Box

He just got demoted to the 4th line, and if he wasn’t injured but benched for someone like Haley, that’s pretty bad. CP threw out that he has only 6 points and 1 even strength goal in the past 19 games.

GP_hockeyhappens

CP, at an airport or has i-net on the plane? Some troll garbage getting takin’ out. 🙂

I wasn’t worried much about stats. But, not really getting much hockey done.

LTNC

How about everyone quit with the juvenile nicknames, like we’re part of the team? Marleau, Thornton, Burns: those are their names and using them doesn’t make one sound like a pathetic fan boy, er, person.

LTNC

Interesting point Hahn made last night about worrying so much about playoff position in November: teams in playoff position at Thanksgiving are usually the ones there in April.

I was hoping for a 3-3 road trip with no melt downs and good efforts in all the games they didn’t win.

Lunch_Box

That’s what a lot of non-hockey fans would say about NHL players. Not much love for hockey in these parts.

franckiyayo

I think he had more deleted comments in the last post than the Sharks have wins over that Eastern Trip

Buddy Elf

They have… He used to pull the same crap on the Giants blogs and they finally banned him.

Buddy Elf

Remember that “idiot” conversation?

“Whose”.

MLBSF

LOL is there a bigger whiner than you?
Course there isn’t. Too funny. smh

Buddy Elf

Plus, it is Sunday so he realizes he has to go back to his job tomorrow doing puff pieces for the state on YouTube and doesn’t even get a lower third with his name on it.

Buddy Elf

How many years have you been whining about Marleau?

Case closed.

MLBSF

The difference being I’m completely correct.
You just like crying. What a disaster you are. smh